The most prominent UAE-based women in the world of technology

According to the Arab Gulf State Institute, 40% of university students specializing in computer science and IT in the Middle East are women. The percentage is even higher in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where women represent 70-80% of computer science and IT students, compared to 15-20% in the United States.

“Girls are globally held off STEM following stereotypes according to which that’s not something women do. Gladly, there are numerous UAE-based women examples to prove the opposite. We need to talk more about such inspiring women to encourage the rest to break through the stereotypes and pursue tech careers,” says Laura Tyrell, Head of PR at NordVPN.

Women who made history

Welcome the mother of the internet — Radia Perlman, whose invention of the algorithm behind the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) was crucial in making today’s internet possible. Radia’s work made an immense impact on the way networks self-organize as well as move data and put the core rules of internet traffic in place.

We should also mention Rear Admiral Grace M. Hopper, who was a computer scientist and one of the first computer programmers to work on the Harvard Mark I. Grace’s passionate work led to the development of COBOL, an early programming language, which people still often use.

Let’s not forget Mary Wilkes, who is titled as the first home computer user. While being a former computer programmer and logic designer, Mary is mostly known for her work with the LINC computer, recognized by many as the world’s first “personal computer.”

UAE-based women who are shaping the world of technology:

• Kinda Ibrahim, Global Content Partnerships director for MEA and Turkey at Twitter. She also previously worked for such tech giants as Microsoft and Yahoo. While passionate about the convergence of media and tech as well as tech startups, Kinda co-led Twitter’s entry into markets across the Middle East. She is now part of the regional leadership team.
• Ming Hu, co-founder of Women In Tech Dubai, which seeks to create an educational and supportive community for women in STEM professions. She is also a Senior Fullstack Engineer at Tradeling, a technology startup with a vision to become the preferred B2B eMarketplace in MENA.
• Ambareen Musa, while being the CEO of the first regional online comparison site for financial and non-financial consumer products Souqalmal.com, Ambareen is also listed among the top 50 most influential women in the Arab World by Arabian Business. Besides that, she is the winner of the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year by The Entrepreneur magazine and Emirates Women Award by the Government of Dubai.
• Mona Ataya, CEO and founder of Mumzworld.com, has proven to be one of the Middle East’s most prominent women entrepreneurs. She created a leading online marketplace for all the things a mother, baby, and child might need. It was the first enterprise of its kind in the Middle Eastern region.
• Aisha Bint Butti Bin Bishr, General Director of the Smart Dubai Office, the government entity aiming to revolutionize a city through four pillars: Efficient, Seamless, Safe, and Personalised. Aisha is also the Chairperson of the Dubai Future Council for Digital Transactions, SDG 11 Global Council, and a Member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Councils.

“Such inspiring UAE-based examples help to combat misconceptions about the tech industry and encourage women to be more determined to pursue a career in STEM. Women should believe that the technology sector is a place where they belong,” adds Laura Tyrell.